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Ten Things You Need to See in Barcelona

Good football team, great beaches, delightful tapas, and dreamy architecture. There's just nothing bad about Barcelona, the Mediterranean seaside captial of Spain's Cataluyna region. Here are a few can't-miss attractions to put on your itinerary.

Sagrada Familia

Your Barcelona trip isn't complete without a visit to the Sagrada Familia (named a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010), dreamt up by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí.

Passeig de Gràcia

Heading north from Plaça Cataluyna, Passeig de Gracia is the richest street in the city. Look up as you walk -- you won't want to miss the architecture along this road.

Camp Nou

If you're a fútbol lover, you'll be heading to Camp Nou. Spain's biggest stadium, seating over 99,000 fans, has been home to the Fútbol Club Barcelona since 1957.

Casa Milà (La Pedrera)

Known as "the stone quarry," Gaudí's ambitious Casa Milà is one of the most famous buildings from the early 20th century Catalan Modernisme (Art Nouveau) period.

Casa Batlló

From 1902 to 1906, Gaudí remodelled a perfectly ordinary apartment building for Josep Batlló, a textile tycoon. Tour the inside of the Casa Batlló to get a glimpse of Gaudí's incredible detail work.

Barri Gòtic, located in the Ciutat Vella district, is the heart of Barcelona's old city. Explore its romantic, tiny alleys -- the perfect setting for lazy tapas and great photos.

Montserrat Mountain

Consider a daytrip to see the Catalan landscape. An hour's train journey from Barcelona, Montserrat is most well-known as the site of Benedictine abbey, Santa Maria de Montserrat.

Plaça del Rei

The "King's Square" is a 14th century square inside Barri Gòtic. The square and its Palau Reial Major, Cataluyna's royal palace, paint a picture of Barcelona's medieval history.

Museu d'Història de Barcelona (MUHBA)

The City History Museum conserves Barcelona's historical heritage, dating all the way back to Roman ruins. The museum is located in Plaça del Rei.

Planning Your Barcelona Visit

How many days should you spend in Barcelona?

There are plenty of fun things to do in Barcelona -- especially if you're also planning on partaking in the infamous nightlife scene. In three full days, you could visit all the major Gaudí sights, as well as the Picasso and Miró museums. You could also stay for a week or more. As for what to do with your extra days? Well, you'll have plenty of time to spend at the beach, visit the nearby village of Sitges, or go shopping in the Gothic Quarter.

What's the best way to get around town?

Barcelona is a wonderful city to explore by foot. You can easily stroll from La Rambla to the beach and then back to the Gothic Quarter in one afternoon. The city is pretty flat, so biking is an excellent option. If you love transportation, we suggest taking a trip to Tibidabo, the 1890s amusement park that overlooks the whole city. You'll take the metro, a tram, and a funicular -- and a ferris wheel ride, if that counts!

Which tours are the most fun?

We're glad you asked! From hot air balloon rides to bike tours to all-access guided walks of Gaudí masterpieces, there are a dozen options to spice up your Barcelona tourism. A lot of the architecture-based sightseeing is enhanced by the history and descriptions that a guide can offer you.

Good to Know

Language

Catalan and Spanish

Currency

Euro (€)

Time Zone

UTC (+01:00)

Country Code

+34

Best time to visit

Barcelona is a beach city at heart, so it's most lively in the summer. If you want to experience Barcelona at its best, schedule your trip around the festival of Sant Joan, or the "night of fire." Each year on June 23, the city celebrates with bonfires and parties until dawn.

Other Sightseeing Options in Barcelona

What People Are Saying About Barcelona

Unique experience made even greater with Naomi our guide :)

Very nice and friendly guide. Asked all of our questions and made the experience even better.
Really would recommend everyone to go with a guide. Adds alot of flavor to the experience.
Saved alot of time by passing the lines as well :)

Wonderful museum enhanced by a brilliant and kind guide.

The museum is an eye-opener with many of Picasso's early paintings, showing his obvious early talents. Not very many paintings from my favorite period, the Blue period. Our guide knew her art history and enlightened our understanding of Picasso's work. My wife had hurt her back and struggled during the tour. Our guide, was able to get her a wheelchair and she slowed down the tour to accommodate my wife's physical pain. An intelligent and kind guide.

Perfect way to spend the morning- amazing architecture and workmanship

Our tour guide was very nice. He spoke fluent english and gave us detailed explanations of the stories carved into the various facades. The architecture and craftsmanship is amazing. Truly a worthwhile trip! Early morning was great because it was less crowded. Meeting site easy to find too.

Nice view from the top and very friendly staff

Loved the view and the friendly staff. Very delicious big breakfast table. But you have to wait for almost one hour after you land so they pack the balloon I didn't like to wait with my family. But overall is great and must try it

The best transportation ticket you could get!!!

It was great to be able to move around the city, including the airport metro. You have to exchange your ticket at the information desk in the airport and it takes a long wait. After that, you are ready to explore the city.